Must-visit Attractions in Ili
The scenic spots are sorted in the order of lakes → grasslands → cultural sites → seasonal landscapes. This route saves detours and ensures you won’t miss the highlights on your first trip.
I. Top 5 Must-see Attractions
1. Sairam Lake (5A Scenic Area)
Nickname: The Last Tear of the Atlantic, the most stunning scenic spot in Ili.
Highlights: Azure lake water, snow-capped mountains surrounding the lake, and wildflower meadows. The scenery peaks from June to August.
Things to do: Drive counterclockwise around the lake (Moon Bay, Waterfront Beach, General’s Platform, West Sea Grassland), watch the sunset and photograph reflections of snow peaks on the water.
2. Narat Grassland (5A Scenic Area)
Nickname: Grassland in the Sky, the most well-developed alpine valley grassland.
Highlights: Interwoven snow mountains, forests, river valleys and meadows. It is the shooting location of The Shepherd from Keketohai.
Routes: Air Grassland, River Valley Grassland and Panlong Ancient Road (a less-crowded scenic route).
3. Kalajun Grassland (5A Scenic Area)
Nickname: The Body Grassland / King of Three-dimensional Grasslands, a World Natural Heritage site.
Highlights: Rolling meadows shaped like human curves, with forests, canyons and snow-capped mountains in one frame.
Key spots: Flower Platform (full of wild flowers), Falcon Platform (panoramic cliff view) and Koksu Canyon.
4. Qiongkushtai
Nickname: A primitive hidden paradise in the Tianshan Mountains, starting point of the Wusun Ancient Road.
Highlights: Grasslands surrounded by forests, log cabin villages and brilliant starry skies with almost no commercial development.
Things to do: Hike on the back mountain, ride horses, stroll along the Kurde River and stay overnight in wooden cabins.
5. Guozigou Bridge & Guozigou Valley
Nickname: The No.1 View of the Tianshan Mountains, a masterpiece of infrastructure in Xinjiang.
Highlights: Canyons, grand bridge, forests and snow peaks form a breathtaking view perfect for self-driving tours.
Things to do: Shoot full views of the bridge from observation decks and overlook Sairam Lake from the old plank road.
II. In-depth Recommendations (Culture, Glaciers & Hidden Gems)
6. Xiata Ancient Road (4A Scenic Area)
Highlights: A top destination for glacier hiking, offering close views of the Muzart Glacier, snow peaks and ancient trails.
Things to do: Take an easy hike to General Bridge and gaze at the glacier; snow-capped mountains remain visible even in summer.
7. Lavender Fields in Huocheng (June 15 – July 5)
Nickname: China’s Provence, one of the world’s three major lavender producing areas.
Highlights: Vast purple flower seas. Princess Jieyou Lavender Garden boasts the most complete supporting facilities.
8. Tekes Bagua City
Nickname: The only city worldwide laid out strictly according to the Eight Trigrams with no traffic lights.
Things to do: Shoot aerial photos, enjoy the panoramic view from the observation tower and taste local food in the old town.
9. Zhaosu Grassland
Highlights: Hometown of Heavenly Horses, rape flower seas (in July) and Xiata Glacier. The open grassland seldom gets crowded.
Don’t miss the Heavenly Horses Bathing in the River (check the performance schedule in advance).
10. Yizhao Highway (Mini Duku Highway)
Highlights: Only open from June to October. Cross the Wusun Mountains with continuous views of snow peaks, grasslands and forests.
III. Seasonal Attractions (Only Once a Year)
- April: Tuergen Apricot Valley with pink wild apricot blossoms
- May: Wild fruit blossoms, fresh green scenery in Kuldining and Qiaxi
- June–July: Huocheng lavender, Zhaosu rape flowers and wild grassland blooms
- August–September: Golden grasslands, autumn scenery in Kalajun and Narat, blue ice on Sairam Lake (late September)
- October: Colourful forests in Guozigou and golden autumn across the Ili River Valley
IV. Classic 5-Day Leisure Itinerary
Day 1 (Yining): Six-star Street → Han People’s Street → Sunset over the Ili River
Day 2: Yining → Sairam Lake → Guozigou → Huocheng (lavender fields)
Day 3: Huocheng → Zhaosu → Xiata
Day 4: Zhaosu → Tekes (Bagua City) → Kalajun
Day 5: Kalajun → Qiongkushtai → Narat → Return trip
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